We are delighted to welcome visitors to the 9th annual Salt Spring PRIDE festival hosted by GLOSSI, (Gays and Lesbians of Salt Spring Island), a volunteer, non-profit association, established on the island in 1999. If you are visiting Salt Spring Island for GLOSSI‘s Gay Pride Parade come join us for a tour. Our tours offer the opportunity to see all of the Island’s highlights and will help make the most of your trip to Salt Spring Island while still participating in the great line up of events at this year’s Pride. We will be running tours, including the Best of Salt Spring, Artisan Salt Spring, and the Saturday Market Express throughout the weekend of September 5th-8th. If you are attending events, we can accommodate your tour so that you don’t miss anything in this year’s fantastic line up.
This year’s theme is “Let’s Camp It UP!” ‘Camp’ is defined as “deliberately exaggerated and theatrical behaviour or style.” This year’s theme of cheeky, playful and outrageous dress, costume and attitude, makes it possible for everyone to find self-expression and creates room for gay and straight people alike to have playfulness around sexuality and gender roles. ‘Camp’ is in a sense, our gift to the straight community. Partial proceeds from 2013 Pride will go towards a different kind of camp, UBC’s Camp OUT, a summer camping experience offered for queer and allied youth aged 14 – 21.
Plan your trip to Salt Spring around this great line up of events:
Thursday-Saturday Sept 5 – 7th MAMA PRISCILLA’S CAGEY REVUE ArtSpring 7:00-9:30PM– Food, Drinks Concession
This fabulous musical comedy revue celebrates life, family (in whatever form), and being true to yourself. Fifty of your talented Salt Spring neighbours have created an evening of song and dance featuring drag queens and conservatives, babies and kangaroos, palm trees and John Wayne, all erupting into the life of one man. Nineteen great songs! Not recommended for children: occasional coarse language, suggestive scenes, and some nudity. Produced by Mamma Productions, generously supported by GLOSSI.
Friday, Sept 6th MEET AND GREET AT SHIPSTONES (Waterfront below Oystercatcher) From 5:00 onward – Drinks and Appetizers
Bring your friends for food and drink specials and live music by Salt Spring’s own Simone Lamers and her band (blues, jazz and more!). The Patio and Shipstones Pub are all ours for the night!
Saturday, Sept 7th ANNUAL PRIDE PARADE at 1:00pm Meet at Mahon Hall at Noon
At 1 pm, join us for the 6th Annual Salt Spring Pride Parade – the star attraction at the 2013 Pride Festival! Join the hundreds of marchers who take part in the unique People-Powered parade while they walk, bike, rollerblade and dance their way through the Village of Ganges. Or be a part of the enthusiastic family friendly crowd who line the streets and cheer on the parade participants!
Saturday, Sept 7th OUT ON THE STREET at McPhilips Ave after the Parade 2-4:00pm
Back again for 2013 is “Out on the Street” a pedestrian only Street Party where McPhillips Avenue becomes the venue for an outdoor celebration featuring amazing live acts, DJ Music and drag queens in a family friendly dance party at the conclusion of the Pride Parade from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Saturday, Sept 7th CAMP DISCO DANCE PARTY Doors at 9:00pm Meaden Hall – $15 (19+)
Tickets available at Island Star Video, Salt Spring Books & Door • Remember the 70’s and the great disco music we all danced to in our polyester-best – Talk about Camp! The mixed crowd is the entertainment at this dance-till-the-disco-ball-falls event. Come on OUT and “Shake your Groove Thing”!
Sunday, September 8th UNITARIAN PRIDE SERVICE 10:30am at 379 Lower Ganges Road
Unitarian Pride Service welcomes all Pride participants to attend an open celebration of diversity, community and love. Service at 10:30am with guest speaker Chelsea Rose Wendt, who will speak about gender and authenticity, at the Salt Spring Senior’s Drop-In Centre, 379 Lower Ganges Rd.
Sunday, September 8th PRIDE PICNIC AT RUCKLE PARK 1 pm onward (Site 3)
Pride Family Picnic & Potluck, a tradition for many years at Ruckle Provincial Park. This event is a great time to play, share and enjoy nature in the company of friends. From 1:00 till 6:00 pm. Group Site 3.
Sunday, September 8th Camp OUT: A Story Circle 2:00pm Ruckle Park
An Inter-Generational Narrative with our Elders and Youth! In honour of Camp OUT, come and hear the coming out stories of our GLOSSI elders and discover the stories and journeys as seen through the lens of trans and queer youth coming out today in new ways and with new possibilities. It’s an opportunity to get to know one another in a warm and welcoming atmosphere in “A Story Circle” at Group Site 3.
Part of the Proceeds from the this year’s PRIDE are going to Camp OUT which is a UBC supported summer camping experience for BC’s queer and allied youth aged 14 – 21. Entering its fourth year, it continues to be a unique and empowering leadership experience for queer, trans, and allied youth in the province of BC. Each year, Camp OUT offers a nurturing and strengths-based environment that values diversity, builds self -esteem, and fosters hope and resilience.
For those looking for accommodation, visit www.glossi.org for a listing of LGBTQ accommodations on Salt Spring. There are several wonderful possibilities, many including full breakfasts, kitchens, hot tubs, etc. You can also visit www.saltspringtourism.com for information on places to stay, dine, shop and explore to make your visit to Salt Spring complete!
